Bookmarks and watchpoints for selection and presentation of media streams

ABSTRACT

Selection and presentation of media streams, in which presentation is not limited by order imposed by the digital content representative of those media streams, in response to bookmarks and watchpoints settable and usable by a user. Bookmarks reference a location within the media stream, not necessarily pre-selected and possibly dynamically selected, in which a presentation can be started or restarted therefrom. Watchpoints reference a location within the media stream, or a presentation state for the media stream, in which an action can be triggered thereby. Bookmarks and watchpoints provide a general technique for presenting selections from media streams in response to metadata.

PATENT APPLICATION

This application is submitted in the name of the following inventors:

Inventor Citizenship Residence City and State Paul RECHSTEINER CanadaToronto, Ontario (Canada) Shawn NEELY Canada Sunnyvale, CaliforniaLawrence KESTELOOT United States San Francisco, California MichaelMALCOLM United States Aspen, Colorado Stephen WATSON Canada Toronto,Ontario (Canada)

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to selection and presentation of media streams; inaspects thereof, the invention relates to bookmarks and watchpoints, andto event handling, for selection and display of videos from media, suchas for example DVD and other related media.

2. Related Art

In systems for presenting information, such as for example informationrelating to audiovisual media, users are able to present informationalready recorded on digital media. For example, DVD player systemsprovide users with the ability to playback digital content pre-recordedon DVD media. In the incorporated disclosure (as described below) suchsystems provide users with the ability to present (that is, displayvideo elements of and play audio elements of) media streams, eitherafter or concurrently with download of digital content representingthose media streams. In the incorporated disclosure (as described below)such systems further provide the capability of downloading that digitalcontent from one or more content servers.

A first problem with known DVD media playback is that the process ofplayback involves interaction between the user and a pre-selectedsequence of playback capabilities, recorded onto the DVD media bysomeone other than the user (such as a creator or distributor of thatDVD media). For example, playback might involve navigation of aselection menu, might involve playback of audiovisual messages thecreator or distributor has determined are advantageous for the user tobe forced to watch (such as for example an anti-piracy warning, or suchas for example one or more advertisements or pre-release announcements).Accordingly, it would at some times be advantageous to avoid beingrestricted by choices imposed on them by the creator or distributor ofthe DVD media.

A second problem with known playback techniques is that the user mighthave a substantial library of media streams from which the user mightdesire to present. For a first example, the user might wish to presentshort clips (or “trailers”) of individual movies as part of a process ofselection or review of those individual movies. For example, the usermight wish to present a trailer for an individual movie as part ofdeciding whether to purchase that movie (including for example on-linepurchase of a downloaded copy) or to present that movie to a selectedaudience (including for example determining if that audience wasinterested in the movie in response to the selected trailer). For asecond example, the user might wish to point to selections from mediastreams when analyzing, commenting on, reviewing, or selecting portionsthereof. A first example thereof might be a biography of a known actoror director, including selections of short clips of scenes used forillustrative, scholarly, literary, artistic, political, or socialpurposes. A second example thereof might be that the user wishes topresent a short clip, such as a favorite scene, for presentation to aselected audience (including for example just the user themselves), oras part of a pedagogical exercise (including for example as ademonstration of acting technique or camera work).

Both these problems are exacerbated by increases in the number of DVDmedia providers (whether creators or distributors), and by increases inthe number of media streams available to the user. Moreover, both theseproblems might inhibit development of a convenient UI (user interface)for selection and presentation of media streams, whether from recordedphysical media or downloaded from one or more content servers.

Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide an improved techniquefor video selection and presentation, relatively less subject toproblems with known techniques.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a method and system capable of selection andpresentation of media streams, in which presentation is notsubstantially limited by any order imposed by the digital contentrepresentative of those media streams.

In one aspect, the invention provides a method and system capable ofcreating and referencing a bookmark to a location selected within themedia stream, not necessarily pre-selected by the creator or distributorof that media stream, and possibly dynamically selected by a recipientof digital content representing that media stream.

In addition to referencing the bookmark, the invention provides a userwith the capability of starting or restarting presentation from theselected bookmark.

In one aspect, the invention provides a method and system capable ofcreating a watchpoint at a location selected within the media stream, ora presentation state otherwise associated with presentation of the mediastream, capable of associating with that watchpoint one or morewatchpoint triggers (indicating on what conditions the watchpoint istriggered) and one or more watchpoint actions (indicating what actionsare taken in response to triggering the watchpoint). For one example,the user might designate a bookmark at the beginning of a selected filmclip, a watchpoint trigger with the end of that same film clip, and awatchpoint action associated with the watchpoint, which watchpointaction directs a presentation device to return to a presentation stateit was at before presenting from the bookmark. In this example, the filmclip effectively acts as a media element capable of being inserted intoanother, different, media stream (or more generally, into any other userinterface or media presentation, the original user interface or mediapresentation not necessarily including any original media streams of itsown), without involving any other digital content associated with thelarger media stream that contains that film clip.

In one aspect, the invention provides a method and system capable ofselecting one of a set of such film clips (bookmark-watchpoint pairs)for presentation, in response to a user input, a user preference, aplayback device configuration, demographic information about the user orthe playback device, or other pertinent information. For a firstexample, a one or more DVD's might have a first version of its moviebetter suited for presentation on a regular television screen, and asecond version of its movie better suited for presentation on awidescreen or HDTV television screen (currently, the movie “Shrek” issometimes marketed with two separate DVD's, one of which includes awidescreen version and one of which includes a narrowscreen version).For a second example, one or more DVD's might have a first version ofits movie better suited for presentation to a mature audience, and asecond version of its movie better suited for presentation to aless-mature audience. For a third example, a single DVD might have a setof versions of its movie with selected different plot points or movieendings, for those different audiences or users who prefer the movie tohave a happy ending or otherwise. For a fourth example, a single DVDmight have a shorter (abridged) and a longer (unabridged) version of thesame movie, selectable by the user.

In one aspect, the invention provides a method and system capable ofselecting one of a set of such film skips (watchpoint-bookmark pairs),with the effect that a section of a media stream might be skipped,censored, or otherwise edited out, in response to a user input, a userpreference, a playback device configuration, demographic informationabout the user or the playback device, or other pertinent information.

In one aspect, the invention provides a method and system capable oftesting one or more state variables at such bookmarks or watchpoints,and of taking different actions in response to distinct values of thosestate variables. In one embodiment, the invention provides a user withthe capability of designing a sequence of actions (conditional orunconditional), by which selections from media streams might bepresented in response to digital content representing those mediastreams and in response to other information. Such other informationmight include the scope of a license afforded to the user, demographicor other metadata about that user, or interactive activity with thatuser (or more than one such user). Such a sequence of actions might berecorded, retrieved, transmitted, or received, similar to digitalcontent representing any other type of media stream.

In one embodiment, the invention might include bookmarks created oredited using one or more techniques or by one or more types of creators.For a first example, bookmarks might be created in conjunction with theoriginal content, such as for example by an author, creator,distributor, or synchronizer, of the original content. For a secondexample, bookmarks might be created by a party other than in conjunctionwith the original content, such as for example by a secondarydistributor of the content, a server providing the content to anend-user along with newly-associated metadata, a translator of theoriginal content, such as a person adding subtitles in a second or analternative language or “dubbing” in sound in a second or analternative, or such as an editor of the movie for a specific purpose,such as for example a purpose suitable for airliner use, for children,or for export to selected countries. For a third example, bookmarksmight be created by end-user preferences, either explicit or implicit orsome combination or conjunction thereof, such as for example in responseto the end-user designating a favorite scene, or such as for example inresponse to the end-user skipping over a disfavored scene, or such asfor example in response to preferences implied by demographicinformation about the end-user. Similar to bookmarks, the inventionmight also include watchpoints created using one or more techniques orby one or more types of creators, as described above with regard tocreation or editing of bookmarks.

After reading this application, those skilled in the art would recognizethat the invention is an enabling technology by which substantialadvance is made in the art of media streams and digital contentrepresentative thereof. For example, the invention might be used toprovide one or more of, or some combination or extension or mixture of,any of the following:

-   -   Saving selected scenes from movies and requesting playback of        those scenes, either in response to user command, pointers to        those scenes, or metadata describing those scenes.    -   Pausing movies during presentation on a first device and        requesting playback on a second device, such as for example in        response to user command.    -   Assembling a collection of such selected scenes, possibly along        with commentary, or possibly embedded in another media stream        for which those selected scenes are exemplary or illustrative.    -   Assembling a collection of bookmarks or watchpoints, possibly        along with commentary; maintaining that collection in a database        or other metadata; or sending that collection from one device to        another.    -   Creating and presenting a demonstration of a home video system,        including demonstration of selection and presentation of media        streams as part of the demonstration. In one embodiment, the        demonstration itself might be interactive, and include the        capability for the user to select which media streams are        selected or presented as part of the demonstration itself.    -   Creating and presenting a media stream by which a pseudorandom        or random process determines presentation of such selected        scenes, possibly in response to other information. In one        embodiment, the pseudorandom or random process might select film        clips in response to known preferences of the user, thus        providing the capability of a film clip “screen saver” or a        variant of the MTV channel.    -   Pausing, restarting, and repeating presentation of media        streams, even for media for which such functions are not        originally supported.    -   Direct access to feature presentations within recorded digital        media, without any substantial requirement for navigating via        pre-recorded menus or pre-recorded advertising, announcements,        or warnings.    -   Direct access to supplements to such feature presentations, or        trailers associated with such feature presentations, within        recorded digital media, without any substantial requirement for        navigating via pre-recorded menus or pre-recorded advertising,        announcements, or warnings.    -   Presentation of media streams represented by digital content        recorded on multiple volumes of digital media, such as for        example movies recorded on more than one DVD, without any        substantial requirement for the user to intervene at a switching        point between those multiple volumes.    -   Performing operations external to presentation in response to        the media stream, such as for example turning up room lights at        the start of movie credits, diminishing sound volume during        commercial breaks, or pausing presentation in response to        aspects of the movie (such as for example at a commercial break        in a broadcast movie).    -   Creating and presenting a computer game using individual film        clips, either from pre-existing DVD media or newly-created        digital content. For example, the computer game might be        interactive, or might respond to external information, such as        for example a television news feed.

In one embodiment, the invention includes a representation of apresentation state and a virtual machine state, each of which is updatedconcurrently with presentation of the media stream.

A bookmark preferably includes a defined presentation state and virtualmachine state to which a presenting device might be set, with the effectof providing that presenting device with the capability of presentationbeginning at that bookmark. In one embodiment, presentation mightinstead begin at a closest “entry location” designated by the digitalcontent representing that media stream. In one embodiment, the definedpresentation state or virtual machine state might include a known “titlenumber” within DVD media on which is recorded the digital contentrepresenting that media stream.

A watchpoint preferably includes a defined presentation state andvirtual machine state, along with one or more associated triggerableactions, with the effect that whenever the presenting device attempts tomatch its presentation state and virtual machine state with thatwatchpoint, a first sufficient degree of similarity with the triggeringcondition (possibly for a first subset of data associated with each suchstate) would cause the watchpoint to be triggered, and a secondsufficient degree of similarity with a conditional choice of action(possibly for a second subset of data associated with each such state)would cause the associated actions would be performed. For example, thepresenting device might attempt to match its presentation state andvirtual machine state with selected watchpoints after each known frameof the media stream, or at the beginning or end of each subsegment ofthe media stream designated by the digital content representing thatmedia stream.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a system including bookmarks andwatchpoints for video selection and presentation.

FIGS. 2A-2D show a process flow diagram of a method including operationof a system including bookmarks and watchpoints for video selection andpresentation.

INCORPORATED DISCLOSURE

This application claims priority of the following documents, each ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

-   -   U.S. provisional patent application 60/439,330, filed Jan. 9,        2003, in the name of Shawn NEELY, Lawrence KESTELOOT, Margaret        NOVOTNY, Marion BUCHENAU, Sheila FOLEY, and Michael O'NEIL,        titled “User Interface for Video Selection and Display”.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/418,949, filed Apr. 18,        2003, in the name of Shawn NEELY, Lawrence KESTELOOT, Margaret        NOVOTNY, Marion BUCHENAU, Sheila FOLEY, and Michael O'NEIL,        titled “Guide-Like User Interface for Video Selection and        Display”.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/418,739, filed Apr. 18,        2003, in the name of Shawn NEELY, Lawrence KESTELOOT, Margaret        NOVOTNY, Marion BUCHENAU, Sheila FOLEY, and Michael O'NEIL,        titled “Mosaic-Like User Interface for Video Selection and        Display”.    -   U.S. provisional patent application 60/488,367, filed Jul. 15,        2003, in the name of Paul RECHSTEINER, Shawn NEELY, Lawrence        KESTELOOT, Daniel COLLENS, Robert ZARNKE, Nik GERVAE, Ray        DEPAUL, Richard CZEGLEDI, and Kevin HUI, “Bookmarks and        Watchpoints for Selection and Presentation of Media Streams”.

These documents are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully setforth herein, and are sometimes referred to herein as the “incorporateddisclosure”.

Inventions described herein can be used in combination or conjunctionwith technology described in the incorporated disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the description herein, a preferred embodiment of the invention isdescribed, including preferred process steps and data structures. Thoseskilled in the art would realize, after perusal of this application,that embodiments of the invention might be implemented using a varietyof other techniques not specifically described, without undueexperimentation or further invention, and that such other techniqueswould be within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Lexicography

The general meaning of each of these following terms is intended to beillustrative and in no way limiting.

-   -   The phrase “media stream” describes information intended for        presentation in a sequence, such as motion pictures including a        sequence of frames or fields, or such as audio including a        sequence of sounds. As used herein, the phrase “media stream”        has a broader meaning than the standard meaning for “streaming        media,” (of sound and pictures that are transmitted continuously        using packets and that start to play before all of the content        arrives). Rather, as described herein, there is no particular        requirement that “media streams” must be delivered continuously.        Also as described herein, media streams can refer to other        information for presentation, such as for example animation or        sound, as well as to still media, such as for example pictures        or illustrations, and also to databases and other collections of        information.    -   The phrase “digital content” describes data in a digital format,        intended to represent media streams or other information for        presentation to an end viewer. “Digital content” is        distinguished from packaging information, such as for example        message header information. For the two phrases “digital        content” and “media stream,” the former describes a selected        encoding of the latter, while the latter describes a result of        presenting any encoding thereof.    -   The phrase “DVD media content format,” and the like, describes a        family of encoding formats including DVD-audio and DVD-video        (such as for example used with media including digital video        disks or equivalents thereof). DVD media content format is a        specific example of one of many possible formats in which        digital content might be encoded.    -   The phrase “digital media,” and the like, describes physical        media capable of maintaining digital content in an accessible        form. Digital media includes disk drives (including magnetic,        optical, or magneto-optical disk drives), as well as any other        physical media capable of maintaining information, such as        digital content.    -   The terms “playback,” “presentation,” and the like, describe        presentation (such as for example to one or more users) of        audio, visual, or other features of media streams.    -   The phrase “content server” describes a device (or a portion        thereof, or a set of such devices or portions thereof) capable        of sending digital content to recipients. For example, a content        server might include a web server at which a user is provided        the capability of purchasing digital media for download. In the        context of this application, there is no particular requirement        that the server be (logically or physically) located at any        particular address or place, or have any particular        architecture, or use any particular protocol for communication.        For example, the content server might include a process        logically available to a local presentation device.    -   The term “bookmark” describes a reference to a logical location        selected within a media stream. In one embodiment, bookmarks are        not necessarily pre-selected by the creator or distributor of        that media stream, and are possibly dynamically selected by a        recipient of digital content representing that media stream. In        one embodiment, presentation devices are capable of starting or        restarting presentation from a selected bookmark.    -   The term “watchpoint” describes an association of at least one        watchpoint trigger and at least one watchpoint action. This has        the effect that a watchpoint is capable of being treated as an        “IF-THEN” construct, where the watchpoint trigger is the “IF”        part of the construct and the watchpoint action is the “THEN”        part of the construct. Those one or more watchpoint actions        might be conditioned on some other data or state information.        For one example, the user might designate a bookmark at the        beginning of a selected film clip, and a watchpoint        including (1) a watchpoint trigger associated with the end of        that same film clip, and (2) a watchpoint action directing a        presentation device to return to a presentation state it was at        before presenting from the bookmark. In this example, the film        clip effectively acts as a media element capable of being        inserted into another, different, media stream, without        involving any other digital content associated with the larger        media stream that contains that film clip.    -   The phrase “watchpoint action” describes an action to be        performed in response to triggering a watchpoint (when the        conditions of the watchpoint trigger occur). Watchpoint actions        might be conditioned on some other data or state information.    -   The phrase “watchpoint trigger” describes a reference to a        logical state of a presentation device, such as for example a        logical location selected within a media stream. When that        logical state (or any other condition used as a watchpoint        trigger) occurs, the watchpoint is triggered and the watchpoint        action part of the watchpoint is performed.

The scope and spirit of the invention is not limited to any of thesedefinitions, or to specific examples mentioned therein, but is intendedto include the most general concepts embodied by these and other terms.

System Elements

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a system including bookmarks andwatchpoints for video selection and presentation.

A system 100, such as for example an end-user system, includes a library110 or other storage including digital content 111 representing a mediastream, such as for example in a DVD media content format, apresentation device 120, and a presentation controller 130.

In one embodiment, the library 110 might include one or more of: a DVDreader; a disk drive (whether magnetic, optical, magneto-optical, orotherwise); a “jukebox” or other collection of multiple readers forphysical media such as DVD's or disk drives; a communication link to aweb server, file server, database server, or other server; a broadcastreceiver such as a cable modem or satellite link, or any other device ortechnique having the capability of delivering digital content to thepresentation device 120.

In one embodiment, the presentation controller 130 might include aportion, or be included in a portion, of a PVL (personal video library)associated with the system 100. The library 110 might also include aportion, or be included in a portion, of a PVL (personal video library)associated with the system 100. However, after reading this application,those skilled in the art would recognize that in the context of theinvention, no such limitation is required. One such embodiment isfurther described in the incorporated disclosure.

The presentation controller 130 is, in one embodiment, coupled to atleast one input device 131, suitable for receiving commands or otherinformation from a user 132 associated with the presentation device 120,and at least one output device, which in one embodiment includes aportion of, or is included in a portion of, the presentation device 120itself. The presentation controller 130 includes a processor, programand data memory, and is capable of receiving those commands or otherinformation, and responding thereto as described herein, with the effectthat the user 132 is capable of interacting with the presentationcontroller 130 as described herein.

There is no particular requirement, in the context of the invention,either (a) that the presentation controller 130 involves an input device131, or (b) that the presentation controller 130 receives commands orother information from a user 132. In alternative embodiments, thepresentation controller 130 may act in response to a preselected set ofprogramming instructions, or in response to a set of sensors notgenerally considered an input device 131, such as for example a timedprogram show or a program show responsive to the presence of people towatch it. In alternative embodiments, the presentation controller 130may act in response to commands or other information from an operatorother than a user 132, such as for example a stage director orperformer, or a remote teacher engaged in televised instruction.

For just one example of such alternative embodiments, the system 100 maybe devised to make presentations of shows at a demonstration device, asales kiosk, or a trade show. In such alternative embodiments, thepresentation controller 130 might be responsive to a timer to present acontinuous loop of the same media stream (or a pseudorandomly orrandomly selected sequence of different media streams), or might beresponsive to the absence or presence of heat (using an IR sensor),light, or sound to determine the absence or presence of a viewingaudience of sufficient size, and in response thereto, might beresponsive to the audience and its size to present an automaticallyselected sequence of media streams.

As described above, the library 110 includes (or includes access to)digital content 111 representing a media stream, such as for example ina DVD media content format. Typically, the user 132 interacts with auser interface at a selected presentation device 120, with the effectthat the user 132 might choose for presentation an episode or show thatforms at least a portion of the digital content 111. The presentationdevice 120 interacts with the library 110 to obtain the portion of thedigital content 111 representing the media stream for that episode orshow. The library 110 sends that portion of the digital content 111 tothe presentation device 120, with the effect that the presentationdevice 120 presents the media stream represented by that portion of thedigital content 111 to the user 132.

After reading this application, those skilled in the art would recognizethat specifications for aspects of DVD devices and methods, includingDVD-audio, DVD-video, and related specifications, actually support amore interactive method of behavior. However, but that any suchinteractive behavior involves pre-programming that interactive behaviorinto the digital content 111 before the library 110 (or other storage orcommunication) receives that digital content 111. There is nosubstantial provision for the user 132 to create a new interactivebehavior, or to use a new interactive behavior created after thatdigital content 111 was originally created.

The digital content 111 in a DVD media content format includes asequence of instructions, each either (a) directing a virtual machinestate change, or (b) directing presentation of at least a portion of amedia stream. In one embodiment, the virtual machine state includes aplurality of registers, at least some of which are read-only anddescribe the presentation device 120 configuration, while at least some(others) are more general in purpose, such as for example a registerstoring whether a certain portion of the DVD had already been viewed. Insuch an embodiment, the virtual machine instructions either (a) alter,update, or otherwise modify virtual machine registers, or (b) directpresentation of at least a next portion of a media stream.

The presentation device 120 also includes a presentation state, distinctfrom the virtual machine state, which describes at least some internalstate of the presentation device 120 as it parses and presents theportion of the media stream represented by the digital content 111. Asthe digital content 111 is read, parsed, and converted to a format withwhich the presentation device 120 might present the portion of the mediastream, the presentation state of the presentation device 120 changes,without necessarily changing the virtual machine state of thepresentation device 120.

The phrase “media stream state” generally describes a complete state,including both the virtual machine state and the presentation state, ofthe presentation device 120.

After reading this application, those skilled in the art would recognizethat the virtual machine state can be responsive to the presentationstate (although in one embodiment the virtual machine state is unchangedby changes in the presentation state), and that the presentation statecan be responsive to the virtual machine state (although in oneembodiment the presentation state is responsive to the digital content111).

Watchpoints, including their watchpoint triggers and watchpoint actions,might be conditioned on other state information or input, with theeffect that both the virtual machine state and the presentation statemight be made responsive to any conditions or data those watchpointtriggers or watchpoint actions are able to test. For one example, notintended to be limiting in any way, conditional watchpoint triggers orwatchpoint actions might be responsive to information of the followingtypes:

-   -   hardware or software information relating to the construction,        make, model, origin, point of sale, amount of memory, processor        speed, or other information regarding how the presentation        device 120 is constructed;    -   demographic information relating to the nature of the user 132,        including the user's age, home location, income, VALS        evaluation, preferences, or other information regarding uses        made by the user 132 of the presentation device 120, including        for example a current GPS location of the presentation device        120 or of the user 132;    -   dynamic information relating to external events, including for        example the presence or absence of other persons near the        presentation device 120 (and if those persons are known as other        users 132, demographic information relating to their nature, or        alternatively, a number of such persons), and including for        example the operation of other equipment in the same room,        suite, apartment, or building in which the presentation device        120 is located (such as for example, whether a door is opened or        closed, whether a telephone rings, whether lights are turned on,        a temperature inside or outside, a time of day, a day of the        week, a week of the year, whether or not the selected day is or        precedes a school holiday, and the like).        or    -   dynamic information relating to external data, including for        example data regarding news announcements, public events, stock        tickers, weather, and the like (any or all of which might be        filtered or searched in response to keywords, with the effect        that the user 132 is capable of causing the presentation device        120 to respond to new announcements involving selected        celebrities or types of event, sports events or weather        involving a selected city or region, stock tickers regarding        selected companies or industries, and the like);        Method of Operation

FIG. 2 shows a process flow diagram of a method including operation of asystem including bookmarks and watchpoints for video selection andpresentation.

A method 200 includes a set of flow points and steps. Although describedserially, these flow points and steps of the method 200 can be performedby separate elements in conjunction or in parallel, whetherasynchronously or synchronously, in a pipelined manner, or otherwise.There is no particular requirement that the flow points or steps must beperformed in the same order as described, except where explicitly soindicated.

Creating Bookmarks

At a flow point 210A, the method 200 is ready to create a bookmark.

At a step 211, the method 200 receives information (such as from anend-user or an operator) specifying the location of the bookmark, andany related information. In one embodiment, that related informationmight include (a) information relating to the configuration of thepresentation device(s) at which presentation from the bookmark is to bespecified, (b) information relating to licensing information relating tothe media stream of which the bookmark is a part, or (c) other metadatarelating to the bookmark, such as for example a title for the bookmark,one or more representative graphics, such as for example thumbnailpictures, associated with the bookmark, a set of configurationinformation regarding how that thumbnail picture would be presented (orpresented in a selected context), or a set of key words associated withthe bookmark, with the effect that an end-user or operator might searchfor one or more of those key words, or edit those key words with theeffect of remarking upon the bookmark (for one example, not intended tobe limiting in any way, if the bookmark is associated with a time in themedia stream at which a great white shark attacks a person, the words“SHARK ATTACK” might be associated with the bookmark, with the effectthat an end-user or operator might search for one or more of those wordswith the effect of finding the shark attack scene).

In one embodiment, at least some of the following information isincluded in the information the method 200 receives in this step:

-   -   A type of entry location (further described below with regard to        the next step), such as for example “first play,” “top menu,”        “title menu,” “title menu,” “end of title,” and the like.    -   A title number, such as for example an integer from 1 to 99. In        one embodiment, this value is used only for entry locations of        type “title menu” or “end of title.”    -   A start time in frames, seconds, or other measurement from the        beginning of the title. In one embodiment, this value is used        only for entry locations of type “title menu.”    -   A VTS number, such as for example an integer from 1 to 99. In        one embodiment, this value is used only for entry locations of        type “title menu.”    -   A VTS title number, such as for example an integer from 1 to 99.        In one embodiment, this value is used only for entry locations        of type “title menu.”

At a step 212, the method 200 determines an “entry location” into amedia stream at which presentation devices are capable of beginningpresentation without substantial chance that state information for thepresentation device would be inaccurate or incomplete. After readingthis application, those skilled in the art of presentation of mediastreams, including for example media streams recorded on DVD media,would recognize that loading a complete image of the state of anarbitrary presentation device might be unwieldy, and further might havethe effect of providing inaccurate or incomplete information to thatpresentation device if the exact presentation device and itsconfiguration were not known ahead of time. Accordingly, in oneembodiment, to perform this step, the method 200 searches for an entrylocation at or near (such as close before or close after) the specifiedlocation of the bookmark.

In one embodiment, the method 200 recognizes at least some of thefollowing types of entry location:

-   -   A “first play” type of entry location, such as for example what        the presentation device will start with when first noting the        presence of the digital content. A “first play” type of entry        location is known for DVD players capable of presenting digital        content maintained on DVD.    -   A “top menu” type of entry location, such as for example a root        menu in a tree of menus accessible by the presentation device        and maintained on the digital content representing the media        stream.    -   A “title menu” type of entry location, such as for example an        entry location indicating a start of a selected title maintained        on the digital content representing the media stream.    -   A “title” type of entry location, such as for example an entry        location indicating a time T after the start of the selected        title maintained on the digital content representing the media        stream.    -   An “end of title” type of entry location, such as for example an        entry location indicating the end of a selected title maintained        on the digital content representing the media stream.

For one example, not intended to be limiting in any way, the entrylocation might be one such as defined by the DVD specification, alsodescribed in J. TAYLOR, DVD DEMYSTIFIED (2^(nd) ed., 2001) (McGraw-Hill:New York) (ISBN 0-07-135026-8). Further information is also available ina DVD accompanying that book, and sold therewith. For DVD, an entrylocation is a defined location in the DVD digital content representing amedia stream where the presentation device can begin execution(including parsing of the digital content representing the media stream,and presentation of that media stream). For each type of DVD entrylocation, there is substantially dictated how each of the virtualmachine registers are initialized, while configuration registers for thepresentation device are substantially untouched. This has the effectthat each entry location is associated with a specific state of thepresentation device, which might be further parameterized byconfiguration settings for that presentation device. After reading thisapplication, those skilled in the art of presentation of media streams,including for example media streams recorded on DVD media, wouldrecognize that the set of all possible states for presentation devicesthat might be specified by entry locations is a relatively small subsetof the set of all possible states for presentation devices (specified byentry locations or not).

At a step 213, the method 200 determines a substantially completedescription of a desired state of the presentation device, in responseto the information received in the step 211 and the entry locationdetermined in the step 212. In one embodiment, this substantiallycomplete description might include either (a) a substantially completedescription of the actual desired state of the presentation device,including configuration information substantially matching the actualpresentation device, or (b) a substantially complete description of theentry location, including any further changes in state involved inbringing the presentation device from that entry location to its desiredstate, and any configuration information involved in bringing thepresentation device to its desired state.

At a step 214, the method 200 associates the information it determinedwith the selected bookmark. In one embodiment, the method 200 recordsthat information in association with the selected bookmark, such as forexample in a database of such bookmarks, and maintains that informationfor later access by an end-user, operator, or the presentation device.

At a flow point 210B, the method 200 has created a bookmark, and isready to either do so again, or to do something else.

Beginning Presentation from a Bookmark

At a flow point 220A, the method 200 is ready to begin presentation froma designated bookmark.

At a step 221, the method 200 retrieves information associated with thedesignated bookmark. In one embodiment, that information is theinformation described with regard to the steps in the section beginningat the flow point 210A, “Creating Bookmarks.”

At a step 222, the method 200 changes the state of the presentationdevice in accordance with the information associated with the designatedbookmark. As part of this step, for example, not intended to be limitingin any way, if the designated bookmark indicates a selected entrylocation in the digital content representing the media stream, themethod 200 changes the state of the presentation device to substantiallyequal information associated with that selected entry location. As partof this step, for example, not intended to be limiting in any way, ifthe designated bookmark indicates any specified configurationinformation for the presentation device, the method 200 changes thestate of the presentation device to substantially equal thatconfiguration information associated with the designated bookmark.

This step has the effect that the presentation device is changed to astate from which it can begin presentation from the designated bookmark,substantially as if the presentation device has reached that designatedbookmark in the ordinary course of parsing the digital contentassociated with the media stream and presenting that media stream.

At a step 223, the method 200 causes the presentation device to bestarted with the state set in the previous step, with the effectdescribed in the previous state, that the presentation device can beginpresentation from the designated bookmark.

At a flow point 220B, the method 200 has begun presentation from adesignated bookmark, and is ready to either do so again, or to dosomething else.

Creating Watchpoints

At a flow point 230A, the method is ready to create a watchpoint.

At a step 231, similar to the step 211, the method 200 receivesinformation (such as from an end-user or an operator) specifying thenature of the watchpoint, including a set of (a) triggering information,including a designated state information for the presentation devicewith which method can compare with the actual state information of thepresentation device, and (b) consequent actions, including a designatedset of actions for the method 200 to take in response to when thewatchpoint is triggered.

In one embodiment, the information specifying the triggering informationfor the watchpoint includes a set of register values specifying a classof states in which the presentation device might be found. This class ofstates includes both “presentation state,” indicating a state of thepresentation of the media stream to an end-user, and “virtual machinestate,” indicating a state of the virtual machine model of parsing thedigital content representing the media stream. These states are hereincalled a “class of states,” as there might be more than one state forthe presentation device for which the method 200 will consider that thestate of the presentation device matches the triggering information forthe watchpoint.

After reading this application, those skilled in the art would recognizethat bookmarks are capable of being treated as very general labels orreferences to presentation locations or presentation state. Bookmarksmight be the target of a transfer of control or change in presentationstate, might be stored independently of the media stream they reference,and might be subject to variable interpretation in response to knownparameters. For example, a bookmark might point to “the opening scene ofShrek,” or a bookmark might point to “the opening scene of the currentmovie,” where “the current movie” is a parameter that might vary inresponse to what movie is actually being presented at the time.

After reading this application, those skilled in the art would recognizethat watchpoints are capable of being treated as having very generalconditional watchpoint triggers and very general conditional watchpointactions. As noted above, watchpoints have substantial if-thenfunctionality, possibly having conditional watchpoint triggers,conditional watchpoint actions, or both. For a first example, notintended to be limiting in any way, a watchpoint might include awatchpoint trigger and a watchpoint action of the class (userinput=X)→(go to bookmark Y). For a second example, not intended to belimiting in any way, a watchpoint might include watchpoint trigger and awatchpoint action of the class (presentation state within class X)→(doarbitrary action Y). For a third example, not intended to be limiting inany way, a watchpoint might include watchpoint trigger and a watchpointaction of the class (presentation state within class X1) & (userinput=X2)→(go to bookmark Y1, and also do arbitrary action Y2).

After reading this application, those skilled in the art would alsorecognize that bookmarks and watchpoints are very generally capable ofbeing created, edited, or removed dynamically. All such concepts arewithin the scope and spirit of the invention, and would be workableusing the present disclosure without undue experimentation or furtherinvention.

After reading this application, those skilled in the art would recognizethat another distinction can be made between blocking techniques (forexample, waiting at each change of presentation state or user inputs toreview the new class of presentation state or user inputs, with theeffect of determining if a watchpoint has been triggered) and pollingtechniques (for example, periodically, or in response to an interrupt,reviewing the presentation state or user inputs to review the new classof presentation state or user inputs, with the effect of determining ifa watchpoint has been triggered). All such concepts are within the scopeand spirit of the invention, and would be workable using the presentdisclosure without undue experimentation or further invention.

In one embodiment, at least some of the triggering information includeseither a class of virtual machine states (such as for example, a set ofvalues that must be satisfied by the virtual machine) or a class ofpresentation states (such as for example, a set of values that must besatisfied by the virtual machine). For one example, not intended to belimiting in any way, the triggering information might specify one ormore of the following possible triggers:

-   -   Presentation information, such as (a) transliterations or        transcriptions of sound forming a part of the presentation or        media stream, (b) video elements formatting a part of the        presentation or media stream, or (c) metadata included in data        streams associated with the presentation or media stream. For        example, not intended to be limiting in any way, a scene        including people shouting the word “shark!” or a scene including        a picture of a shark, or a set of narrative metadata indicating        the species of sharks shown in the presentation or media stream,        could trigger a watchpoint, either each alone or in some        combination or conjunction.    -   Text information, such as (a) a title number of the portion of        the media stream being presented (including the possibility of        starting or ending a selected title or title number), (b) text        information appearing in closed caption metadata or subtitle        metadata. For one example, not intended to be limiting in any        way, text information might include a subtitle using the word        “shark,” with the effect that sources of text information could        trigger a watchpoint, either each alone or in some combination        or conjunction.    -   Timing information, such as (a) when a selected amount of time        has elapsed from the beginning of presentation, or from the most        recent bookmark, or (b) when a selected number of frames have        elapsed from the beginning of presentation, or from the most        recent bookmark, or (c) some combination or conjunction thereof.    -   User-entry information, such as (a) when an end-user selects a        designated button or key on a console, or (b) if the end-user is        detected to be absent or present near the presentation device,        or (c) some combination or conjunction thereof.

At a flow point 230B the method 200 has created a watchpoint, and isready to either do so again, or to do something else.

Triggering Behavior at a Watchpoint

At a flow point 240A, the method 200 is ready to trigger selectedbehavior at a designated watchpoint.

At a step 241, performed during presentation of the media stream, themethod 200 determines if any of the triggering information, either aloneor in combination, triggers the watchpoint. In one embodiment, thewatchpoint might include Boolean or other logical aggregates oftriggering information. For a first example, not intended to be limitingin any way, a watchpoint might be triggered by having the word “shark!”appear in both the text information and in the presentation information(such as shouted by an actor). For a second example, not intended to belimiting in any way, a watchpoint might be triggered by having at leasttwo actors from a selected set (such as for example the set {MarylinMonroe, Kim Novak, Geena Davis}) appear on screen concurrently.

At a step 242, the method 200 marks the watchpoint as being triggered,and retrieves information relating to consequent actions, including (asdescribed above) a designated set of actions for the method 200 to takein response to when the watchpoint is triggered.

In one embodiment, at least some of the consequent actions might includealtering some of the virtual machine states or the presentation states(such as for example altering the order or locus of presentation), ormight include actions relating to the home theatre system itself (suchas for example altering the house lights, changing the volume, orshutting the system down).

In one embodiment, the consequent actions of the watchpoint mightthemselves be conditional on a class of presentation states or virtualmachine states of the presentation device 120, with the effect that thewatchpoint both (a) conditionally triggers, and (b) conditionallyselects consequent actions, in response to (possibly different) aspectsof the presentation states or virtual machine states of the presentationdevice 120.

For some examples, not intended to be limiting in any way, theconsequent actions of the watchpoint might be conditional on one or moreof the following sets of information:

-   -   The watchpoint actions might be conditional on state information        about the presentation of the media stream, such as for example        how far into the media stream the presentation has gotten so        far, or (for a possibly looping media stream) for how long the        presentation has gone on so far, or on which type of        presentation device 120 or presentation devices 120 the media        stream is being presented on, or how many thereof.    -   The watchpoint actions might be conditional on information input        from the user, such as for example a most recent input from the        user, an expressed or implicit preference described by the user,        a nature of a recent keyword search, metadata search, or video        search requested by the user. In some embodiments, the        consequent actions of the watchpoint might include blocking for        user input, and be conditional on the absence or presence        thereof, and if present, on the nature of that user input, such        as for example a choice made by the user, either explicitly,        implicitly, or by default.    -   The watchpoint triggers might include a code for a class of        triggeres, or the watchpoint actions might include a code for a        class of actions, where either such class is responsive to a        parameter. For a first example, a watchpoint action might be of        the class (go to bookmark B[n]), where [n] is a value responsive        to a user input, or a value computed in response to a set of        virtual registers. For a second example, a watchpoint trigger        might be of the class (now presenting the beginning of this        movie), where the value of “this movie” is responsive to the        specific media stream being presented at that time. Some        exemplary watchpoint trigger classes might include: “now        presenting the credits for this movie,” or “now presenting the        end of this movie.”

In one embodiment, the consequent actions of the watchpoint, incombination or conjunction with features of bookmarks, can be combinedto enable the following features, among others. After reading thisapplication, those skilled in the art would recognize that furtherconcepts and extensions consistent with these features would beworkable, that such further concepts and extensions are within the scopeand spirit of the invention, and that such further concepts andextensions would not require undue experimentation or further invention.

-   -   1. A bookmark can be combined with a watchpoint, with the        consequent action of the watchpoint set to return to the locus        of presentation before the bookmark was invoked, with the effect        that the bookmark-watchpoint section of the media stream can be        selected out as an independent element (herein sometimes        referred to as a “film clip”) for presentation by the        presentation device. This feature could be used even if the        bookmark and the watchpoint were not located within the same        media stream, or even within the same digital content        representing a media stream.    -   For a first set of examples, not intended to be limiting in any        way: (a) After a media stream has already been created and        distributed to the public, that first media stream is capable of        having a user, or other editor or secondary author, include a        pointer to a film clip in a second media stream, with the effect        that the media stream can include presentation of the film clip        as a subroutine within its own presentation, without involving        including a copy of that film clip in the first media        stream. (b) After a media stream has already been created and        distributed to the public, that first media stream is capable of        having a user, or other editor or secondary author, include a        set of pointers to more than one such film clip, with the effect        that the first media stream provides an encyclopedia of such        film clips, again without involving including copies of those        film clips in the first media stream. (c) After a media stream        has already been created and distributed to the public, that        first media stream is capable of having a user, or other editor        or secondary author, include a set of commentary on a set of        film clips, each element of commentary being associated with        that actual film clip, against without involving including        copies of those film clips in the first media stream.    -   For a second set of examples, not intended to be limiting in any        way: (a) An end-user interface might provide for saving selected        scenes from movies and requesting playback of those scenes,        either in response to user command, pointers to those scenes, or        metadata describing those scenes. (b) An end-user interface        might provide for pausing, restarting, or repeating presentation        of all or part of a set of media streams, even for digital        content or physical media for which such functions were not        originally supported. (c) An end-user interface might provide        for direct access to feature presentations within recorded        digital media, without any substantial requirement for        navigating via pre-recorded menus or prerecorded advertising,        announcements, or warnings. (d) An end-user interface might        provide for direct access to supplements to such feature        presentations, or trailers associated with such feature        presentations, within recorded digital media, without any        substantial requirement for navigating via pre-recorded menus or        pre-recorded advertising, announcements, or warnings. (e) An        end-user interface might provide for substantially seamless or        smooth presentation of media streams represented by digital        content recorded on multiple volumes (or other multiple        elements) of digital media, such as for example movies recorded        on more than one DVD, without any substantial requirement for        the user to intervene at a switching point between those        multiple volumes.    -   2. A bookmark can be combined with a watchpoint, with consequent        action of the watchpoint set to return to bookmark, with the        effect that the bookmark-watchpoint section of the media stream        can be selected out as an independent film clip to be repeated,        either (a) for a selected duration, (b) for a selected number of        repeats, (c) until some user action is taken, or (d) some other        conditional ending condition.    -   For a first set of examples, not intended to be limiting in any        way: (a) A first media stream intended to simulate an arcade        game can include a pointer to a repeating film clip of that        arcade game in “attract mode.” (b) An arcade game could be made        interactive, with end-user actions or commands being        incorporated into conditional triggers for watchpoints, with the        effect that the end-user could be presented with a substantially        continuous media stream, with that substantially continuous        media stream being in fact dynamically generated in response to        end-user actions or commands. (c) A media stream of any kind,        such as for example an arcade game or a computer game, an        interactive movie, or other media stream, could include a media        stream by which a selected process determines presentation of        such selected film clips. The selected process could be        responsive to (i) a pseudorandom or random effect, (ii)        demographic or other metadata about the end-user, (iii) known        preferences of the end-user, whether stated explicitly or        inferred from past end-user choices, or (iv) collaborative        filtering or similar known techniques. This could have the        effect of providing the capability of a film clip “screen saver”        or a variant of the MTV channel. (d) A media stream of any kind,        such as for example an arcade game or a computer game or, an        interactive movie, or other media stream, could include a media        stream using individual film clips, either from pre-existing DVD        media or newly-created digital content. For example, a computer        game might be interactive, or might respond to external        information, such as for example television news feeds.    -   For a second set of examples, not intended to be limiting in any        way: (a) A first media stream intended to simulate a movie can        include a pointer to a repeating film clip of a trailer or a        sequence of key scenes from that movie, again without involving        including a copy of that film clip in the first media        stream. (b) A media stream associated with a set of movies can        contain a pointer for at least some of those movies to a        repeating film clip for presentation with a user interface for        selecting one or more of those movies for presentation, again        without involving including a copy of that film clip in the        first media stream.    -   For a third set of examples, not intended to be limiting in any        way: (a) A first media stream intended to represent a        demonstration or training film can include a pointer to a        repeating film clip of an element to be demonstrated or        trained. (b) One specific example of this includes a first media        stream intended to represent a demonstration of setting up a        home movie theatre as described in embodiments described herein        and in the incorporated disclosures. (c) A demonstration or        training film could be interactive, with user commands being        incorporated into conditional triggers for the watchpoints, with        the effect that the end-user could be presented with a set of        choices, either to demonstrate or simulate a “real life”        circumstance, or to present a video formatted interactive quiz.    -   3. A watchpoint could be combined with performing operations        external to presentation in response to the media stream, such        as for example turning up room lights at the start of movie        credits, diminishing sound volume during commercial breaks, or        pausing presentation in response to an incoming telephone call.    -   Generally, a bookmark or a watchpoint could be combined with        generalized detection of state for any manner of device whose        state is available to the presentation controller 130, and could        be combined with generalized alteration or editing of state for        any manner of device whose state can be changed (or requested to        be changed, such as by request to a server device controlling        that device) by the presentation controller 130.    -   For a first set of examples, not intended to be limiting in any        way: Devices whose state could trigger a watchpoint might        include telephone calls (beginning, ending, lasting beyond a        selected time, or having more than a selected volume), internet        connections (beginning or ending, such as for example instant        messaging, email, or file transfer), internet state (such as for        example changes to selected monitored web sites or RSS feeds),        home appliance detectors, such as for example doorbells, motion        detectors, intrusion alarms, heat sensors, door or window        sensors, and power usage detectors), vehicle status detectors        for presentation devices 120 installed on vehicles (such as        airplanes, automobiles, buses, ships or trucks) including the        possibility of controllers for those vehicles, GPS detectors for        location or velocity of those vehicles, and the like. In the        case of vehicles, devices whose state could trigger a watchpoint        might include sensors relating to the vehicle, such as for        example incoming audio or video sensors, or incoming radio        signals on selected frequencies (such as for example an aircraft        control tower or an emergency signaling frequency).    -   For a second set of examples, not intended to be limiting in any        way: Devices whose state could be altered or edited by the        presentation controller 130 might include telephone calls (such        as for example answering or initiating an automated telephone        call in response to a selected change in state, such as for        example automatically calling a parent if an X-rated movie is        selected for presentation, or if a movie is selected for        presentation after 11:30 pm), internet connections (such as for        example sending an FTP log of all movies selected for        presentation, and how far into the movie the presentation        proceeded, possibly after requesting a credit card number from        the end-user), presentation device controls (such as for example        controlling the volume of the presentation device 120, or even        blanking the screen or turning off the presentation device 120        in response to a triggering event), home appliance controls        (such as for example turning up the house lights and turning on        a radio station at low volume, in response to the end of a        movie), vehicle controls (such as for example presenting an        airline safety video to passengers in response to an airplane        reaching a selected altitude, or switching DVD players from        region 1 to region 2 in response to a GPS detector, or switching        presentation options from the English language to the French        language in response to a selected location within the English        Channel.

At a step 243, the method 200 performs the consequent actions, including(as described above) a designated set of actions for the method 200 totake in response to when the watchpoint is triggered. As describedabove, the consequent actions might include transfer of a locus ofpresentation to a selected bookmark.

At a flow point 240B, the method 200 has triggered selected behavior ata designated watchpoint, and is ready to either do so again, or to dosomething else.

Technical Appendix

A Technical Appendix is submitted with this application and hereby madea part of this application. The Technical Appendix, and all referencescited therein, are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully setforth herein.

At least the following documents are part of the technical appendix:

“Automatic Masking” (Revision 5, 2003-08-07).

“DVD Bookmarks” (Revision 4, 2003-05-11).

Alternative Embodiments

Although preferred embodiments are disclosed herein, many variations arepossible which remain within the concept, scope, and spirit of theinvention. These variations would become clear to those skilled in theart after perusal of this application.

-   -   The invention is not restricted to movies, but is also        applicable to other media streams, such as for example animation        or sound, as well as to still media, such as for example        pictures or illustrations, and to databases and other        collections of information.

Those skilled in the art will recognize, after perusal of thisapplication, that these alternative embodiments are illustrative and inno way limiting.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method of providingbookmarks and watchpoints for selection and presentation of mediastreams, comprising: creating a bookmark associated with a media stream;and creating a watchpoint having a watchpoint trigger and a watchpointaction, wherein the watchpoint trigger comprises a condition and isassociated with the bookmark, such that when a presentation devicepresenting the media stream reaches the bookmark, the watchpoint actionoccurs if the condition is fulfilled, wherein the condition is based atleast in part on presentation information comprising one or more of thefollowing: (a) transliterations or transcriptions of sound forming apart of the presentation or media stream, (b) video elements formattinga part of the presentation or media stream, and (c) metadata included indata streams associated with the presentation or media stream, andwherein the method is performed by at least one processor.
 2. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the watchpoint includesBoolean or other logical aggregates of triggering information.
 3. Acomputer-implemented method of providing bookmarks and watchpoints forselection and presentation of media streams, comprising: creating abookmark associated with a media stream; and creating a watchpointhaving a watchpoint trigger and a watchpoint action, wherein thewatchpoint trigger comprises a condition and is associated with thebookmark, such that when a presentation device presenting the mediastream reaches the bookmark, the watchpoint action occurs if thecondition is fulfilled, wherein the condition is based at least in parton text information comprising one or more of the following: (a) a titlenumber of the portion of the media stream being presented (including thepossibility of starting or ending a selected title or title number), and(b) text information appearing in closed caption metadata or subtitlemetadata, and wherein the method is performed by at least one processor.4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein the watchpointincludes Boolean or other logical aggregates of triggering information.5. A computer-implemented method of providing bookmarks and watchpointsfor selection and presentation of media streams, comprising: creating abookmark associated with a media stream; and creating a watchpointhaving a watchpoint trigger and a watchpoint action, wherein thewatchpoint trigger comprises a condition and is associated with thebookmark, such that when a presentation device presenting the mediastream reaches the bookmark, the watchpoint action occurs if thecondition is fulfilled, wherein the condition is based at least in parton timing information comprising one or more of the following: (a) whena selected amount of time has elapsed from the beginning ofpresentation, or from the most recent bookmark, and (b) when a selectednumber of frames have elapsed from the beginning of presentation, orfrom the most recent bookmark, and wherein the method is performed by atleast one processor.
 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5,wherein the watchpoint includes Boolean or other logical aggregates oftriggering information.
 7. A computer-implemented method of providingbookmarks and watchpoints for selection and presentation of mediastreams, comprising: creating a bookmark associated with a media stream;and creating a watchpoint having a watchpoint trigger and a watchpointaction, wherein the watchpoint trigger comprises a condition and isassociated with the bookmark, such that when a presentation devicepresenting the media stream reaches the bookmark, the watchpoint actionoccurs if the condition is fulfilled, wherein the condition is based atleast in part on user-entry information comprising one or more of thefollowing: (a) when a user selects a designated button or key on aconsole, and (b) if the user is detected to be absent or present nearthe presentation device, and wherein the method is performed by at leastone processor.
 8. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, whereinthe watchpoint includes Boolean or other logical aggregates oftriggering information.
 9. A computer-readable medium havingcomputer-executable instructions, which when executed, cause providingbookmarks and watchpoints for selection and presentation of mediastreams, comprising: creating a bookmark associated with a media stream;and creating a watchpoint having a watchpoint trigger and a watchpointaction, wherein the watchpoint trigger comprises a condition and isassociated with the bookmark, such that when a presentation devicepresenting the media stream reaches the bookmark, the watchpoint actionoccurs if the condition is fulfilled, wherein the condition is based atleast in part on presentation information comprising one or more of thefollowing: (a) transliterations or transcriptions of sound forming apart of the presentation or media stream, (b) video elements formattinga part of the presentation or media stream, and (c) metadata included indata streams associated with the presentation or media stream, andwherein the method is performed by at least one processor.
 10. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the watchpoint includesBoolean or other logical aggregates of triggering information.
 11. Acomputer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions, whichwhen executed, cause providing bookmarks and watchpoints for selectionand presentation of media streams, comprising: creating a bookmarkassociated with a media stream; and creating a watchpoint having awatchpoint trigger and a watchpoint action, wherein the watchpointtrigger comprises a condition and is associated with the bookmark, suchthat when a presentation device presenting the media stream reaches thebookmark, the watchpoint action occurs if the condition is fulfilled,wherein the condition is based at least in part on text informationcomprising one or more of the following: (a) a title number of theportion of the media stream being presented (including the possibilityof starting or ending a selected title or title number), and (b) textinformation appearing in closed caption metadata or subtitle metadata.12. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the watchpointincludes Boolean or other logical aggregates of triggering information.13. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions,which when executed, cause providing bookmarks and watchpoints forselection and presentation of media streams, comprising: creating abookmark associated with a media stream; and creating a watchpointhaving a watchpoint trigger and a watchpoint action, wherein thewatchpoint trigger comprises a condition and is associated with thebookmark, such that when a presentation device presenting the mediastream reaches the bookmark, the watchpoint action occurs if thecondition is fulfilled, wherein the condition is based at least in parton timing information comprising one or more of the following: (a) whena selected amount of time has elapsed from the beginning ofpresentation, or from the most recent bookmark, and (b) when a selectednumber of frames have elapsed from the beginning of presentation, orfrom the most recent bookmark.
 14. The computer-readable medium of claim13, wherein the watchpoint includes Boolean or other logical aggregatesof triggering information.
 15. A computer-readable medium havingcomputer-executable instructions, which when executed, cause providingbookmarks and watchpoints for selection and presentation of mediastreams, comprising: creating a bookmark associated with a media stream;and creating a watchpoint having a watchpoint trigger and a watchpointaction, wherein the watchpoint trigger comprises a condition and isassociated with the bookmark, such that when a presentation devicepresenting the media stream reaches the bookmark, the watchpoint actionoccurs if the condition is fulfilled, wherein the condition is based atleast in part on user-entry information comprising one or more of thefollowing: (a) when a user selects a designated button or key on aconsole, and (b) if the user is detected to be absent or present nearthe presentation device.
 16. The computer-readable medium of claim 15,wherein the watchpoint includes Boolean or other logical aggregates oftriggering information.